Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw read more

Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw no such virtue in a jest,
Truth was with her of ridicule the test.

Mediocrity is excellent to the eyes of mediocre people

Mediocrity is excellent to the eyes of mediocre people

Doing easily what others find difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius.

Doing easily what others find difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius.

Vivutur ingenio, that damn'd motto there
Seduced me first to me a wicked player.

Vivutur ingenio, that damn'd motto there
Seduced me first to me a wicked player.

Mediocrity requires aloofness to preserve its dignity.

Mediocrity requires aloofness to preserve its dignity.

Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.

Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.

Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas read more

Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas plerumque secat
res.]

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. read more

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. For a subject which would not
bear raillery was suspicious; and a jest which would not bear a
serious examination was certainly false wit.
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,

Genius is only patience.
[Fr., Le Genie, c'est la patience.]

Genius is only patience.
[Fr., Le Genie, c'est la patience.]